Using Batch Files with the FOR Batch Command

Summary

If a batch file is used as the command in a FOR batch command, the FOR batch command only calls the batch file once. The following interactive example executes ONE.BAT for item "a", then stops:

FOR %i IN (a b c d) DO one %i

In a batch file, use two percent examples. The change in the example above is as follows:

FOR %%i IN (a b c d) DO one %%i

More Information

In Microsoft the MS-DOS packaged product, the CALL command can be used to repeatedly execute the batch file with the FOR batch command. The above interactive example is changed to the following:

FOR %i IN (a b c d) DO CALL one %i

This example executes ONE.BAT for each item in the list.

In releases of MS-DOS earlier than version 3.30, this can be done by spawning COMMAND.COM with the /C switch and letting it execute the batch file. The above interactive example is changed to the following: